PLANT HIGH ROWING & PALM RIVER TRAINING CENTER - STUDENT & PARENT HANDBOOK 2021-2022
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PLANT HIGH ROWING & PALM
RIVER TRAINING CENTER
2021-2022
STUDENT & PARENT HANDBOOK
Plant High Rowing Association | PO Box 10576, Tampa, FL 33679-0576 | www.planthighrowing.com
Welcome to all parents and athletes!
As a way of saying welcome, this handbook is a brief introduction to the Plant High Rowing
Association (PHRA). This handbook will help give you an idea of how the team is structured, some
rowing vocabulary, and the basic concepts behind how we run a successful non-profit rowing club.
Since most of us are new to the sport of rowing, the best way to learn is to jump aboard, join a
committee, and sign up for Shore Patrol. Become one of the many volunteers who support our coaches
and athletes and make PHRA one of the premier rowing clubs in the Southeast.
PLANT HIGH ROWING ASSOCIATION 2021-2022 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President Maria Fischer 813.205.7511 President@PlantHighRowing.com
1st VP / President Elect 1stVP@PlantHighRowing.com
2nd VP / Past President Curt Hubbard 813.503.5289 2ndVP@PlantHighRowing.com
Treasurer Mercee Glew 858.342.8026 Treasurer@PlantHighRowing.com
Controller Randi Shaw 412.334.2824 Controller@PlantHighRowing.com
Secretary Dave Cellitti 773.450.7820 Secretary@PlantHighRowing.com
PR/ Sponsorship 206.390.2565 Sponsorship@PlantHighRowing.com
Travel Melissa Faulkner 813.205.5102 Travel@PlantHighRowing.com
TBCRC relationship Missie Hendry 813.789.0394
MAJOR COMMITTEES
Volunteer Coordinator Aadonia de la Torre 813.244.3968 Volunteers@PlantHighRowing.com
Hospitality Mary Dunlap 904.294.0872 Hospitality@PlantHighRowing.com
Shore Patrol Kim Bell 813.728.5415 ShorePatrol@PlantHighRowing.com
Regatta Coordinator Francie Shames 813. 505.3399 Regatta@PlantHighRowing.com
Carpool Coordinator Carpool@PlantHighRowing.com
Merchandise Christina Mathangani 813.340.3224 Merchandise@PlantHighRowing.com
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Ways to stay informed!
PHRA website (TeamUnify): www.planthighrowing.com Sign in to get the full benefit of the site.
Primary way to keep up to date on events, regatta information & volunteer opportunities, locate contact
info, report absences, keep track of team practices & much more…
Web Site Tips
• Contact Information for our head coach, board, & major committee members can be found under
the “About Us” link on the home page. You can also find info about Palm River Training Center
under this link. PRTC is open to local HS students whose school does not offer a rowing program.
• “My Account”: once signed in, you can click this under your name to update your personal
information including payment setup.
• “RESOURCES”: find links to our handbook, forms (waivers, medical, crew club application), dues
structure, carpools, and photos via our password protected SmugMug account.
• “TEAM SCHEDULE”: practice and race calendars as well as attendance info can be found here
(including the email address for reporting absences).
• “SHORE PATROL”: find sign up, calendar, and instructions for shore patrol here.
• “CONTACT US”: quick listing of important email and mailing addresses for Plant Crew.
Twitter: Follow @PlantHighRowing for schedule changes, reminders, and general team information.
Instagram: Follow @planthighrowing for updates and fun media shoutouts!
Facebook: Follow www.facebook.com/planthighrowing for general team information.
Regatta Central: www.regattacentral.com website to locate heat sheets, results, & general regatta
information for races around the country (including ours here in Tampa!).
RACING FOR SHIRTS
Rowing is the oldest intercollegiate sport in America.
Betting shirts is one of rowing’s oldest traditions.
Betting shirts simply entails the losing crew giving
their racing shirt to the winning crew as a prize. The
tradition teaches good sportsmanship in both the
giving and receiving of shirts. Not only that, but a
racing shirt is a unique trophy that can be proudly
worn or saved.
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COACHING STAFF
Head Coach/ Men’s Coach Women’s Coach
Michael Smith Laura Migliore
Photo on the way!
Boy’s Freshman Coach
Alex Miller Girl’s Freshman Coach
Julia Weber
Assistant Coach/ Faculty Sponsor
Jim Brockman Assistant Coach
Emma Boersma
Assistant Coach
Charlie
PhotoWill
on the way!
“Rowing is like no other sport. There is a place for everyone, and a path for everyone to succeed.
On that path lies the journey that can change your life.”
--Head Coach Michael Smith
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Important Dates to Remember!
Go to www.planthighrowing.com (PHRA website) for the most up to date information on practice
schedule, volunteer sign up (we need all of you to participate to make this year successful) & regatta
information. Instructions on how to download the PHRA calendar, which includes all activities and
events, can be found on our website, under the “Team Schedule” link.
September February
8 Parent Meeting 9 Parent Meeting
TBD New Parent Social 12 American Youth Cup Series I Regatta
October (Sarasota)
9 Pancake Breakfast - fundraiser March
TDB Parent Meeting 5 Spring Sprints #2 (local)
30 Halloween Regatta (local) 26 FSRA West Districts Regatta (local)
November April
TDB Parent Meeting 1 Parent Meeting
12-14 HOTS Regatta in Augusta, GA 9-10 FSRA Sculling States (Sarasota)
20 Ergathon - fundraiser 23-24 FSRA Sweep States (Sarasota)
December May (*Only for athletes who qualify at States)
11 Fall Sprints Regatta (local) 11 Nationals Parent Meeting
January 26-29 SRAA Nationals (to be held on the
TDB Parent Meeting Cooper River in Camden, NJ)
15 Spring Sprints #1 (local)
Parent meetings start at 7:15pm in the Plant High School Media Center.
GOOD ACT dates: 9/11, 10/23, 4/2
GOOD SAT dates: 10/2, 11/6, 12/4, 3/12, 5/7, 6/4 (NO BAD SAT DATES)
BAD ACT dates: 12/11, 2/12 (only schedule on these dates if no other alternative)
• Volunteer signups for regatta needs will be sent to you via signupgenius.com throughout the year.
Please find our shore patrol information and sign up on the homepage of our website. Both are great
ways to fulfill your 6 hour/family/semester volunteer obligation!
• Fundraisers are our Pancake Breakfast in October and Ergathon in November: participate to meet
your family’s fundraising requirement.
• Local Races: Tampa Bypass Canal-- Harney Park 7117 N US HWY 301
• Sarasota Races: Nathan Benderson Park-- 5851 Nathan Benderson Cr., 34235
PHRA 2021-2022 FEE SCHEDULE/TRAVEL INFORMATION
Fees are based on estimating normal day-to-day operating costs for the program, including coaches’ salaries, regatta
fees, insurance, equipment maintenance, launch fuel, etc. Basic travel and food/snack costs for local regattas are
also included, above what is donated to our hospitality program.
Fall Semester:
Includes cost of transportation, meals, and overnight stay that are anticipated for HOTS (Head of the South) in
Augusta, GA, November 12th-14th.
• Varsity Fee: $1000 ($250/month billed in Sept., Oct., Nov., & Dec.)
• Novice Fee: $800 ($200/month billed in Sept., Oct., Nov., & Dec.)
Spring Semester (Estimated):
Includes cost of transportation, meals, and overnight stays that are anticipated for Sculling & Sweeps State
Championships to be held in Sarasota in April 2020.
• Varsity/Novice Fee: $1000 ($250/month billed in Jan., Feb., March, & April)
Chaperoned transportation for out-of-town regattas:
Charter buses are provided for transportation to and from out-of-town events, and athletes are expected to travel
together. For multiple day events, athletes will stay at a designated team hotel and room together with teammates.
We do NOT include costs for athletes who qualify for SRAA National Championships nor any Regional or
National Championships after States in April.
PHRA will collect dues & regatta fees via credit card:
• Credit cards used for registration will be charged the 1st business day of each month.
• You may change cards by signing into your account on our website; on the left side, go to “My Account” then
navigate to the “Payment Setup” tab under “Account Info.”
• Athletes will not be allowed on the water, if payments are not made by the 15th of the month.
• If dues/fees are not paid by the 1st of the following month, and payment arrangements are not made, the athlete will no
longer be able to participate on the team until the balance is paid in full.
• All dues/fees must be paid in full, no outstanding balance, prior to an athlete participating in a regatta and/or out of
town travel.
• Contact Controller@PlantHighRowing.com with questions.
• Financial Scholarships are available for those in need by contacting: President@PlantHighRowing.com.
Fundraising & Volunteer Obligation
• Every family has a $400/year fundraising obligation. You can fulfill this obligation through participation in events
like our Pancake Breakfast and Ergathon.
• Funds raised through your family obligation will be combined with other monies raised to provide for the long-term
health of our rowing program, including the purchase of new equipment as needed.
• Every family has a volunteer obligation of at least 6 hours/family/semester. There are many opportunities to
volunteer throughout the year, and PHRA strongly encourages at least one shore patrol shift/semester to be included in
your hours. Our team cannot function without your help!
• PHRA enacted a new policy this year requiring Fall volunteer hours to be completed by Dec. 17th and Spring volunteer
hours to be completed by April 26th. For required hours not completed by these dates, a family will be assessed a
noncompliance penalty of $50 per missing hour on their account. Once assessed, these fees must be paid in
accordance with our normal payment procedures, including removal from the water for nonpayment.
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PHRA WISH LIST
In the past six years PHRA has had anywhere from 90 to 140 rowers on the team. We continually evaluate our
equipment for repairs and upgrades, in order to give every competitive advantage to our rowers, during practices
as well as at scrimmages and regattas. To do so means we often need to purchase items noted below. Please
contact our Head Coach or any of the Board Members if you would like to Donate to PHRA.
Rowing Equipment
1 Launch & motor ($2-3,000)
Speed Coach ($399)
CoxOrb Platinum ($995)
Set of eight oars ($2640; $330 each)
New boat shoes ($70; $560 for an 8)
3 New or used singles ($3000/boat)
Ergs ($900)
Storage and Boathouse Equipment
Lowes or Home Depot gift cards
New or used weight bench
New or used Olympic weight bars
Items Purchased By or Donated to PHRA During the 2019/2020 Rowing Season
Thanks to our generous families PHRA was fortunate enough to have purchased the items below, by raising
approximately $57,000 through PHRA fundraising efforts and $14,000 in corporate contributions. Keep up the
good work and help us fulfill the wish list items for this season!
• 1 Eight
• 1 Aluminum Dock
• 1 Aluminum Ramp
• 1 Set of sweep oars
• 1 Set of sculling oars
• 3 weight benches
• 1 squat rack
“I can only speak for my own child, but crew has done more for him in one year regarding
confidence, social skills, camaraderie, organization, and overall happiness than I could ever have
imagined. Of course it was in great part due to all of your efforts, day in and out. I can't thank you
enough.” -PHRA Parent
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IMPORTANCE OF PRACTICE
Practice is the foundation to success in any sport, and all athletes are expected to attend all scheduled practices.
Not attending practice has the following effects:
• The absent athlete does not develop when they do not practice.
• Other athletes are unable to practice. Need all present to row the boat.
• The absent athlete may be removed from a boat and replaced by another athlete for practice and/or a race.
MISSING PRACTICE
• Unapproved absences (defined as non-emergency and no prior coach notification) are never acceptable.
Absences are, however, inevitable and sometimes necessary.
• Freshman, Novice, and Varsity athletes must call out on the form: Attendance Callout no later than 24 hours
before the start of the practice to inform their coach of their absence.
PRACTICE SCHEDULE
• Go to www.planthighrowing.com, click on “Team Schedule,” and select "High School Practice Calendar.”
• Instructions on how to download the calendar can also be found under “Team Schedule.”
• Varsity schedule: MON-FRI 4:00-6:30pm; SAT 8:00-10:30am
• Novice schedule: MON/WED/FRI 4:00-6:30pm; SAT 8:00-10:30am; Novices add THURS 10/7 and TUES in
the Spring Season 01/04.
EARLY DISMISSALS and FULL DAYS OFF
• On early dismissal Mondays, practice still begins at 4:00 pm; Boathouse will open at 3:00 for those who need
to come early.
• Thanksgiving week: MON/TUES 8:00-10:30am; Class Day Races on WED at 1:00pm
• Spring Break: MON-WED 8:00-10:30am; practice continues during break as we are in the middle of
championship season
• PHRA plans “Long Weekends” around school holidays to help minimize the impact of absences.
• Every effort should be made to schedule college visits, family events, medical appointments, etc., during these
days off.
• Optional land practices may be called by a coach for those athletes who are able to attend.
• See PHRA website calendar for exact times and days off.
CANCELLATIONS
• On the water practice continues in all weather conditions except lightning.
• Land practice continues in all weather conditions except lightning.
• If classes or after school activities at Plant High School are cancelled, then practice is cancelled as well.
• Always assume there is practice unless notified otherwise by the coaches.
• The coaches generally use OnDeck to text and email cancellations.
POLICIES
• PHRA is a member of FSRA and USRowing and follows the guidelines and by-laws of these entities regarding
race, color, religion, and gender identity.
• PHRA also adheres to FSRA rules governing the recruitment of athletes and as such will never actively recruit
athletes from another team.
• For more details on these policies/guidelines, see: www.floridarowing.org (FRSA),
www.usrowing.org/governance (USRowing)
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PRACTICE FACILITIES
All practices are held at the Palm River facility, which is
located on property owned by the Southwest Florida Water
Management District about 15 minutes away from Plant
High School. Upper classmen usually drive and carpool
together. Freshmen and other athletes not yet driving
typically carpool with groups of parents or other athletes.
SHORE PATROL
One of the ways parents support our athletes is by providing
Shore Patrol during practice at the Palm River facility. This
duty is primarily logging in boats as they leave and return to
the dock and helping catch an oar as the shells return. The
hard work of lifting and rowing is done by the athletes.
Shore Patrol volunteers are the adults on shore who help
provide communication to the coaches on the water. It is a
great way to earn volunteer hours & watch our athletes hone
their rowing skills and mature together as a team.
Sign up on our web site, www.planthighrowing.com,
under “Shore Patrol.”
FORMS
The forms necessary to participate as a PHRA athlete are
available on the PHRA website, ww.planthighrowing.com,
under “Resources.”
Directions from Plant High School:
Take Bay to Bay Blvd east to Crosstown Ex-
pressway.
Take left onto Cross-town heading east.
Get off at Exit 11 and turn right onto US
41 /50th St.
Immediately take first left onto E. Washington
St. (just before Marathon gas station)
Follow to the end and turn right onto dirt
road.
5601 E. Washington St., TPA 33619
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RACING & REGATTA INFORMATION
As an inclusive program that does not cut athletes, it is the goal of the coaching staff to race all athletes who wish to
participate. In the fall, racing opportunities are long distances while in the spring racing opportunities are shorter sprint
distances. For this reason, in the fall coaching is focused on technique and fitness development, while in the spring coaching
is focused on preparing the team as a whole for the State Championship. Because PHRA seeks to develop all of our
members into the best athletes they can become, it is the goal of the coaches to race as many boats as can race safely and
competitively. PHRA continuously strives for higher achievement in competitive rowing.
Regattas are unlike any other sport competition. They are ALL DAY events that require the cooperation of all rowers and
their families. Because of the immense amount of pre-planning, organization, and logistics required to make sure these
events run smoothly, the coaches ask for the following commitments from both rowers and their families. Honoring the
following commitments ensures that regattas run smoothly and are a positive experience for the entire program:
1. Informing coaches immediately if the athlete cannot attend a race due to schedule conflicts.
2. Completing all regatta race waivers in a timely manner (there are several forms throughout the year).
3. Assisting regatta volunteer committees by getting involved in event organization (fun opportunities).
4. Arriving early for all race events and staying until regatta awards are given to the winning team(s).
‘Regatta Information Sheets’ will be emailed prior to each race and will contain information regarding venue, location,
race schedule and what to bring.
Boat Selection refers to the process of creating boats of athletes that will race at regattas. We focus on teaching competition,
leadership, sportsmanship and compassion, and in turn, we look for those qualities to quickly emerge from our athletes.
What are the coaches looking for during boat selections?
Size to strength ratio, technical ability, coach-ability, competitiveness, positive “I can do it”/ “I will try it” attitude,
confidence, sportsmanship, team player mentality, and general athletic potential.
How will the coaches look for these traits?
• Erg Testing/Fitness Assessments (at the boathouse)
Times and power output recorded on erg tests indicate an athlete’s physical fitness and mental resolve. Every rower
on the planet has at one time or another said, “I row harder on the water, I just can’t do it on the erg.” Well, yes you
can, and you will have to! In the Fall coaches will test athlete fitness using 5k or 6k, 10-minute power, and long-
distance erg pieces. In the Spring coaches will test athlete fitness using 2k, 10-minute power, and short distance erg
pieces. Fitness assessments including running, body circuits, weighted circuits, etc. are also used as an indicator of
athlete fitness.
• Seat Racing
The process of switching rowers and evaluating the results is known as seat racing. Seat racing tests an athlete’s
boat moving abilities. Seat racing is used at each coach’s discretion.
• Technique
Good technique and pulling hard are separate skills. Like golf, technique is important in rowing in order to be
effective. Coaches and athletes spend hours logging miles and doing drills simply to make you a better technical
rower. Everybody selected to the top boats must row well, you will not make a boat only due to good rowing, you
may lose your seat if you don’t row well enough.
• Attitude, Work Ethic, Competitiveness
We look for drive, effort, intensity, desire, and humility. We want you to be a team player, to support, encourage
and push your teammates. We want you to react well to difficult situations and work with your team to resolve
them. We do not do drama and will not allow the team to be affected by individual issues.
10 | PageWe want you to try hard, to work hard and to improve a little bit every day. We want you to love to race, to love to
compete, and to embrace sportsmanship in doing so. We expect these traits to emerge from everyone and it will
affect your boat placement in time.
We use all this information to make our decisions. We don’t select a boat just because you have a great erg score,
or just because you won a seat race, or just because you have a great attitude. You need to be good at every-
thing… yes stronger at some things than others, but you have to have it all. Work on your weaknesses and you’ll
be on your way. Selection takes time and is ever changing as athletes improve or stop improving over the course of
the year.
In the end, boat selection is not a hard formula. Coaches use their best judgment to make the fastest boats.
Questions about boat placement should be communicated between athletes and coaches. The coaches will set boat
line- ups and coaches’ decisions are final.
How are coxswains selected?
For coxswains, selection is based on six primary factors: seat racing, technical calls,
motivational calls, tactical calls, steering, and leadership ability. The coaches
evaluate these skills during practice and through rower evaluations.
Can I play another sport?
We allow athletes to participate in a Fall sport for Plant. If you plan on playing a Fall sport, please contact the
coach prior to the beginning of the season to let them know of your intentions to come to the team at a later date.
Athletes need to come to rowing immediately following the conclusion of their Fall season sport. The same ap-
plies for other school activities such as Band or Chorus.
What parents can do to support their student-athlete throughout the season:
• Be honest. We all have our strengths and weaknesses. This is an opportunity to teach them how to im-
prove on their weaknesses while succeeding at their strengths. Try to help them realize that just counting
on their strengths and turning their back on the weaknesses won’t help them get better.
• Share your sports experience with them. Have you been part of a team?
• Remind them that coaches respond to athletes who are present, attentive and participating. It shows that
they are eager to learn.
• Talk with your son/daughter about being an athlete. What are their strengths? What are their weaknesses?
What qualities does an athlete bring to a team?
• Stress the fun parts. “Just go out and have fun and show them what you can do”.
• Offer encouragement when it is hard; help them feel good about themselves.
• Let them know that no one thing is going to put them into a specific lineup, and no one thing will take
them out of a specific lineup.
• Support your son/daughter, but also support the coach. We will be honest about what we see. Please
encourage your athlete to talk to the coach in a friendly way when asking what he/she is thinking, and why
she/he has made a decision. We don’t play favorites, but we are looking for a team that will be successful.
Our goal is to make this a respectful, positive and honest sports
experience. Honesty can be hard to take sometimes, but it is the best way
for us to develop a competitive program.
We can make your son/daughter a stronger, fitter, better technical rower,
but we can’t make him/her want it. We are looking for athletes who are
team players and understand that the team comes first. This is a demanding,
yet highly rewarding, sport and the athletes won’t enjoy it without the
passion to want to be their best.
11 | PageCOMMUNITY PRINCIPLES FOR
PLANT HIGH ROWING ASSOCIATION
The mission of Plant High Rowing Association (PHRA) is to facilitate an inclusive and a nationally competitive rowing
team for students of H.B. Plant High School and the greater Tampa Bay area.
To meet this mission, athletes must be a community that meets clearly
defined principles.
Healthy athletic communities need not simply rules, but also clear
principles to make sense of the rules. Rather than follow rules blindly or
grudgingly, athletes need a willing attitude that appreciates and
embraces the principles.
Therefore, our community of athletes, parents, coaches, volunteers and
board of directors, endorses and expects our athletes to adhere to these
principles:
We are a community in which our actions affect others – often more than our actions affect ourselves.
As a community we treat everyone with respect. We respect everyone’s uniqueness as a human being. We respect person-
al property. We respect and actively care for the property of PHRA because it serves our entire community. We meet our
financial and time commitments. We understand we are one team and one
community.
We are scholars and athletes and pursue excellence in both academics
and athletics – not just one or the other.
As scholar-athletes we give our best effort in class and at practice. We plan
well and use our time wisely to meet expectations of both school and sport so
that one community does not negatively impact the other. We understand that
the decisions of our coaches and the Board of Directors are in the best
interest of our entire community. We support the decisions of the coaches
and the Board of Directors. We avoid selfish ambition and instead humbly serve the interest of the team before ourselves.
We are citizens and athletes and pursue excellence as ambassadors for our team and for rowing. As citizen-
athletes we maintain good sportsman- ship in all circumstances.
We do not cheat or neglect good sportsmanship to gain competitive success.
We refrain from illegal activity in order to be positive representatives of our
community and to avoid having a negative impact on our community. We
understand that any use of alcohol, tobacco and drugs is illegal and unhealthy
for athletes. We understand that, in addition to being illegal and unhealthy,
any use of alcohol, tobacco or drugs demonstrates a lack of respect for our
health and a lack of respect for our community.
We understand these principles serve to promote the welfare of our community.
While our Conduct Principles are defined by the School Board of Hillsborough County Bylaws and Policies for
Students, we understand that meeting the expectations of these Community Principles in spirit as well as fact is
essential to maintaining the welfare of our community.
We understand that failure to meet any of these Community Principles affects not only the individual, but the entire
community. Therefore, we acknowledge that individual or collective failure to honor any of these Community Principles
will result in discipline by the coaches or PHRA appropriate for the infraction and could include dismissal from the team.
12 | PageHOW WE ACCOMPLISH OUR MISSION
The values PHRA maintains and teaches in pursuit of this mission are:
Inclusivity --- Commitment --- Sacrifice --- Integrity
Inclusivity:
PHRA welcomes all students of H.B. Plant High
School to participate in rowing. Through Palm River
Training Center (PRTC) and Middle School rowing
programs, PHRA offers students whose schools do not
have rowing an opportunity to train and compete.
PHRA does not “cut” an athlete from rowing. Striking
the balance of inclusiveness and being nationally
competitive provides student-athletes with unparalleled
opportunities for learning and growth.
Commitment:
The nature of rowing means that, unlike other sports, the absence of one athlete usually means eight
others cannot row or practice. Additionally, in order to run smoothly PHRA relies on volunteer
support. Rowing should not become an athlete’s entire life. However, athletes and families should
commit to practice, racing, and volunteering – and then meet those commitments.
Sacrifice:
Success in any sport requires athletes to
sacrifice themselves for the team.
Similarly, for PHRA to accomplish its
mission, maintain its values, and meet
commitments – sacrifice is necessary.
Giving one’s time is the primary sacrifice
required to facilitate the rowing program.
Integrity:
Is more than simple honesty. Integrity means weaving inclusivity, commitment and sacrifice into
all aspects of PHRA activity. In other words, PHRA integrates its values into all
its activities.
PHRA WOULD LIKE TO THANK:
• Curt Hubbard for his spectacular job as 2020-2021 President
• Lauren Moseley for her hard work and dedication as the Plant Crew Club’s faculty advisor
• All our parent volunteers for the many, many hours donated to our team
• Our coaches for their patience and dedication to the success of our team
• Our athletes for their perseverance and commitment to the team throughout the school year
• Steve Blaschka and Missie Hendry the TBCRC for facilitating the Palm River Rowing Center
• Southwest Florida Water Management District for their support of rowing in our community
13 | Page2021-2022 Plant Crew Student Board
Voting in Progress!! This page will update when complete.
2021-2022 Plant Crew Captains
Women’s Captains: Mia Schleelein, Madison Lawrence, Annabelle Pattison
PRTC- Sydney Steingold
Men’s Captains: Kyle West, John Cellitti, Sam McKenney
PRTC- Austin Lee
(Pictured here with last year’s PHRA Captains at End of Year Banquet)
Photo on the way!
14 | PageGLOSSARY OF ROWING TERMS
FEATHER: Turning the handle of the oars so that the blade is
parallel (flat) to the water.
BLADE: The end of an oar opposite the handle. The blade
is the broad, flat part of an oar that helps the oar lock into FIN: The triangular shaped piece that extends down from the
the water and leverage the boat. “hull” to help in the steering and stabilization of a boat.
BOW: The forward section of the boat. The first part of FISA: Short for Federation Internationale des Societes d’Aviron.
the boat to cross the finish line. The person in the seat The international governing body for the sport of rowing in the
closest to the bow (seat “one”), who crosses the finish world, established in 1892.
line first.
FIRST VARSITY: The top fastest combination of rowers and a
BOWBALL: The rubber ball attached to the very tip of a coxswain in a four-oared or eight-oared boat. Plant primarily rows
boat to provide protection for both the boat and anything it eights, so the top boat is the “First Varsity 8” or “1V”.
may bump.
FOOTBOARD: The footboard is the platform against which
BOW COXED BOAT: A shell in which the coxswain is rowers push with their feet and legs when leveraging an oar to
near the bow instead of the stern. It’s hard to see the move the boat.
coxswain in this type of boat, because only his head is
visible. Having the coxswain virtually lying down in the FOOT STRETCHER: The foot stretcher holds the footboard,
bow reduces wind resistance, and the weight distribution is which hold the shoes.
better. FOUR: A four-oared shell in which each of the four rowers uses
BUTTON: A wide collar on the oar that keeps it from one oar. Also the fourth seat from the bow. Symbolized as: 4+
slip- ping through the oarlock. Usually referred to as the (with a coxswain) or 4- (without a coxswain).
collar. FSRA: The Florida Scholastic Rowing Association. This
CLUB: A rowing program not affiliated with any one organization governs high school and junior clubs rowing in
school, but rather a region, town, or city. Florida.
COXSWAIN: Person who steers the shell and is the on- GATE: The bar across the oarlock that keeps the oar in place.
the-water coach for the crew. GERMAN RIGGING: A different way of setting up which side
CRAB: A crab occurs when an oar remains in the water at of the boat the oars are on in a sweep boat. Instead of alternating
the finish of a stroke and is not removed. Such an from side to side, in a German rigged boat two consecutive
occurrence destabilizes, and often stops the run of a boat. rowers have oars on the same side.
Thought occasionally the mistake of one rower, crabs are GUNNEL: The side of a boat that is out of water. The sides of a
most often the result of poor rowing by a crew. See also boat that are in the water is the “hull.”
“run.”
HANDLE: The end of an oar, by which a rower grips and
CREW: A boat of rowers, and possibly a coxswain. Also, manipulates the shaft and blade.
“crew” can refer to an entire rowing program. Though
often said, no one “does crew”. That is like someone HEAD RACE: A long race (over 2 miles) in which crews are
saying, “I do baseball team.” Appropriate use of the term started one at a time. Winners and the place of a crew is
would be: “I am on the crew.” Rowers do not “play crew” determined by the time it takes a crew to cover the course.
or “row crew”. While other athletes may play a sport (“I HULL: The sides (and bottom) of a boat in the water. The
play football”), rowers simply row (“I row”). “Crewing” is gunnel, or gunnels, are the sides of the boat out of the water
not a word; “Rowing” is a word. The fastest way to sound
intelligent about rowing is to master these terms. JUNIOR: A rower 18 years of age or younger.
DECK: The part of the shell at the bow and stern that is LIGHTWEIGHT: Refers to the rowers, not the boats; there is a
covered with fiberglass cloth or a thin plastic. Also, the maximum weight for each rower in a lightweight event as well as
part of a boat between the gunnels on which rowers sit. a boat average.
DOUBLE: A two-rower boat in which each rower uses NOVICE: A new rower who has been rowing less than one year.
two oars. A novice can be any age or grade.
EIGHT: An eight-oared shell in which each of the eight OAR: Used to drive the boat forward: rowers do NOT use
rowers uses one oar. Also, the eighth seat from the bow, or paddles. Paddles are for people who have not figured the
“stroke” seat. The fastest of all commonly rowed boats. mechanical advantage of using a lever, and also one’s entire
Symbolized as: 8+ (the “+” indicates a coxswain in the body, to move a boat.
boat.) OARLOCK: An oarlock is attached to a pin. The oarlock holds
ERGOMETER: Rowers call it an “erg.” It’s a rowing ma- the oar against the pin so that together they can act as a lever and
chine that closely approximates the actual rowing motion. fulcrum.
The rowers’ choice is the Concept II, which utilizes a fly- PIN: The pin is held in place by the rigger. The pin is the
wheel and a digital readout so that the rower can measure fulcrum used, with an oar as a lever, to move a boat.
his “strokes per minute” and the distance covered.
15 | PagePORT: Left side of the boat, while facing forward, in the SQUARE: A blade in perpendicular position to the surface of the
direction of the movement. water. A blade must be “square” in the water for the oar to
leverage and move the boat. A blade that is “feathered” is good
PR: “PR” stands for “personal record”. Athletes also use
“PB” for “personal best”. PR refers to one’s best time on out of the water, but useless in leveraging a boat. See also
an erg test of 2000 or 6000 meters. “feather.”
REPECHAGE: The second-chance race which ensures SRAA: The Scholastic Rowing Association of America governs
that everyone has two chances to advance from and facilitates national rowing among high school pro- grams.
preliminary races since there is no seeding in the heats. Clubs do not participate in SRAA events. See also “Club” and
“Scholastic.”
RIGGER: The triangular shaped metal device that is
bolted onto the side of the boat and holds the pin, oarlock STARBOARD: Right side of the boat, while facing forward, in
the direction of movement.
and oars.
STERN: The rear of the boat; the direction the rowers are facing.
ROWING: The physical act of moving a boat across
water using an oar in an oarlock as a lever. An oar “blade” STRAIGHT: Refers to a shell without a coxswain i.e. a straight
is placed in the water with oar “shaft” resting in the four or straight pair.
“oarlock” (and against the “pin”) midway down the
“shaft”. With the “pin” acting as a fulcrum, the oar is STRETCHER OR FOOTSTRETCHER: Where the rower’s
pulled by the oar “handle, there- by using the mechanical feet go. The stretcher consists of two inclined footrests that hold
advantage of a lever and fulcrum sys- tem to move the the rower’s shoes. The rower’s shoes are bolted into the footrests.
boat. Rowing is NOT paddling; paddling does not employ STROKE: The rower who sits closest to the stern. The stroke
the efficiency of mechanical advantage. sets the rhythm for the boat; others behind him must follow his
RUDDER: The rudder steers a boat. It is most often cadence.
directly adjacent to the fin (or “skag”). STROKECOACH: A small electronic display that rowers attach
RUN: The run is the distance the shell moves during one in the boat to show the important race information like stroke rate
stroke. You can figure it by looking for the distance be- and elapsed time.
tween the puddles made by the same oar. SWEEP: One of the two disciplines of rowing – the one where
SCHOLASTIC: This term refers to rowing teams whose rowers use only one oar. Pairs (for two people), fours (for four
athletes come from one high school (public or private). See people) and the eight are sweep boats. Pairs and fours may or
also “Club”. may not have a coxswain. Eights always have a coxswain.
SCULLING: One of the two disciplines of rowing – the SWFWMD: The Southwest Florida Water Management District
one where scullers use two oars or sculls. does what its name suggests: it manages and protects the
waterways for southwest Florida.
SEAT: The moveable platform on the deck inside a boat
on which rowers sit. The moving nature of the seat allows SWING: The hard-to-define feeling when near-perfect
rowers to use their legs as well as their back and arms. synchronization of motion occurs in the shell, enhancing the
performance and speed.
SHAFT: A long, cylindrical part of an oar.
TBCRC: The Tampa By-Pass Canal Rowing Committee. The
SHELL: Can be used interchangeably with “boat”. TBCRC facilitates rowing on SWFWMD properties in Hills-
SHIRT: The traditional uniform of rowers is the racing borough County.
shirt. Among established or traditional crew, shirts are bet USROWING: The governing body of rowing in the United
at races and then won or lost. States.
SHOES: Shoes hold rowers feet against the
“footboard”. SINGLE: A boat rowed by one rower
with two oars. The slowest of all boats commonly
rowed. Symbolized by: 1x
SKAG: See “fin.”
SLIDE: The set of runners for the wheels of each seat in
the boat.
SPRINT RACE: A standard rowing race. Like a
swimming or track race, crews are placed in lanes next to
each other. The crews start at the same time and race in a
straight line to the finish. Sprint races are usually 1500m
or 2000m.
16 | PageAccomplishments & Accolades
Youth State Championships
Overall
• Women’s Varsity Eight (Bram Fowler Cup) 2009
• Plant has one of the top High School Rowing teams
• Men’s Junior Eight (Dr. Ronald W. Shane Trophy)
in the State of Florida
2016
• We regularly finish in the top 3 on a Statewide basis
• Women’s Junior Quad (Beyer-Gant Cup) 2016
• This is out of over 80 schools and clubs with High
• Women’s 2nd Varsity Eight (Hope Cup) 2009, 2015
School competitive rowing
• Women’s 1st Freshman Eight (Southbay Rowing Cup)
State of Florida Rowing Championships 2006, 2012, 2013
(FSRA) • Women’s 3rd Varsity Eight (The Hammer Cup) 2008,
• Women’s Varsity Eight (Julie Scott Trophy) 2009, 2009
2013 Team State Championships
• Men’s Varsity Quad (Golden Blades Cup) 2014 • Overall Team Points - Sculling (Robert Negaard Trophy)
• Men’ Varsity Quad (Dr. Hector Ortiz Cup) 2018 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021
• Women’s Varsity Quad (Jon Thaxton Cup) 2014, • Women’s Team Points - Sweep (Florida State Trophy)
2015, 2016, 2017, 2019 2009, 2013
• Women’s Lightweight Quad (Florida Scholastic • Women’s Team Points - Sculling (Golden Panther Trophy)
Cup) 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019 2018, 2019, 2021
• Women’s Lightweight Single (Woman’s Leadership • Men’s Team Points (Swift Racing Trophy) 2018
Cup) 2015
• Men’s Junior Eight (Mark Frampton Cup) 2016
USRowing SE Regionals
• Women’s Junior Eight (Joseph “Okie” O’Conner • Women’s Youth 4x - Bronze Medal
Cup) 2012, 2013, 2018 Scholastic National Championship (SRAA)
• Women’s Junior Quad (Bulldog Cup) 2014, 2015, • Silver National Medalist
2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 • Women’s 2nd Varsity Eight 2015
• Women’s 2nd Varsity Eight (Florida Scholastic • Men’s Junior Quad 2017
Trophy) 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2015 • Men’s Lightweight Four 2021
• Women’s 1st Freshman Eight (Riedeburg Cup) 2006, • Bronze National Medalist
2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016
• Men’s Junior Quad 2009
• Women’s 2nd Freshman Eight (Florida Scholastic
Trophy) 2016, 2017
• Men’s Lightweight Eight 2013
• Women’s Freshman Quad (Jorge Rodriguez Cup) • Qualifying in 2019: 11 Boats received bids, 6
2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021 Eights & a 2x made the trip with 56 Athletes
• Men’s 3rd Varsity Eight (Jake Snyder Cup) 2014 competing
• Women’s 3rd Varsity Eight (Thomas Lineberry Cup) • National Championship Finishes
2008, 2009 • Women’s Varsity Eight, 9th 2017
• Men’s 4th Varsity Eight (Florida Scholarship Trophy) • Women’s Freshman Eight, 11th 2017; 6th 2019
2014 • Men’s Junior Eight, top 24 2017
• Women’s Freshman Four (Dragonfly Cup) 2021 • Women’s Junior Eight, top 20 2017
• Men’s Lightweight Four (The Osprey Cup) 2021 • Women’s Varsity Eight, top 24 2018
• Men’s Lightweight Four (David Schumacher Cup) • Men’s 2nd Varsity Eight, top 20 2019
2021
• Women’s Varsity Quad (Jon Thaxton Cup) 2021
*All 2020 Championship Regattas were cancelled due to the Covid 19 Pandemic.You can also read
